Convertible Garment

ABSTRACT

A convertible garment includes an item of clothing and a closure mechanism. The item of clothing includes a front bottom hem and a back bottom hem. The closure mechanism includes a first side and a second side secured to the front bottom hem and the back bottom hem, respectively. The item of clothing functions as a bag when the closure mechanism is closed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/498,482 filed Aug. 4, 2014, owned by the applicant of the present application, the disclosure of which are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to a convertible clothing garment. More specifically, the present invention relates to an item of clothing that may be converted to a tote bag using a zipper or other closure mechanism.

Efficiency and convenience are two important values for modern individuals. When it comes to everyday needs like clothing and storage, adding utility to a product increases its value. With that in mind, a number of convertible clothing garments have hit the market to provide multiple uses. One popular example of this is a shirt or jacket that may be converted to a carrier or tote bag.

Some shirt-tote bag designs involve drawstring closures at the bottom of the bag which irreversibly convert the bag from a shirt to a tote bag. These tote bags fail to securely hold the objects inside the bag. Instead of providing a convenient way to transport objects, these designs may create problems for the user when items inside the tote bag fall out without the user noticing. Further the bag is no longer useable as a shirt. Other designs may involve extra material or convoluted folding schemes that detract from the basic look of the clothing or cause the clothing to become wrinkled.

Accordingly, there is a need for a garment that may be easily converted into a tote bag with a zipper closure while maintaining the structure of the garment, as described herein.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To meet the needs described above and others, the present disclosure provides a garment that includes a zipper closure along a bottom hem. In a first configuration, the zipper is open and the garment is wearable as a shirt. In a second configuration, the zipper is closed and the garment is wearable as a bag.

In a preferred embodiment, the solution is presented as a standard tank top shirt with openings for the head, arms and waist. Along the hem of the shirt, the tank top may include a reversible separating zipper. When the user decides to convert the tank top into a tote bag, the user may attach the zipper where it meets at one side of the tank top and zip for the length of the hem of the tank top. When zipping is complete, the opening at the bottom of the tank top may be completely closed. This closure may act as the bottom of tote bag. The head and arm openings of the tank may act as the top of the tote bag, with an opening for items and the arm openings acting as straps to conveniently carry the tote.

In its tote bag form, the tank may retain its original shape, with the only difference being that the zipper along the hem has been zipped.

The solution may come in a wide variety of fabrics. Additionally, the design of this tank top may be altered to provide varied stylistic choices, such as narrower straps instead of the traditional tank top shoulder construction. As another example, the hem may be uneven, to provide an interesting stylistic choice that could translate to both the shirt and bag. As a final example, the arm openings could be lengthened to provide a looser fit as a shirt and a long strap on the tote bag.

An object of the invention is to provide a solution to convertible tote bag garments that include a secure closure along the bottom of the tote bag.

Another object of the invention is to provide a solution to convertible garments that provides for both a tank top and a tote bag.

An advantage of the invention is that it is easy to use.

Another advantage of the invention is that it may be customized with patterns or logos that will appear on the front of the shirt or tote.

A further advantage of the invention is that it provides an interesting stylistic touch with the exposed zipper along the hem of the shirt and bottom of the tote bag.

Yet another advantage of the invention is that it may be made of durable, lightweight material, further utilizing its function as a bag and shirt.

Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the examples will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following description and the accompanying drawings or may be learned by production or operation of the examples. The objects and advantages of the concepts may be realized and attained by means of the methodologies, instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a convertible garment of the present application functioning as a wearable garment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a convertible garment of the present application functioning as a bag.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate front and back views of the convertible garment of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate side views of the convertible garment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 illustrates a top plan view of the convertible garment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 illustrates a bottom plan view of the convertible garment of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-8 illustrate a convertible garment 100 that can be adjusted between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration shown in FIG. 1, the garment 100 is wearable as a shirt. In the second configuration illustrated in FIG. 2, the garment 100 is usable as a bag. In the illustrated embodiment, the garment 100 is a tank top, although other styles of shirts as well as other articles of clothing may be used, particularly sleeveless tops.

As shown, the tank top 102 includes a zipper 104 secured to a bottom hem 106. A front 108 a and a back 108 b of the tank top 102 include a front bottom hem 106 a and a back bottom hem 106 b, respectively. A first side of the zipper 104 a and a second side of the zipper 104 b are secured to a front bottom hem 106 a and a back bottom hem 106 b, respectively. While a zipper 104 is used in the illustrated embodiment, other closure mechanisms such as, but not limited to, snap fasteners, hook and loop fasteners, one or more buckles, or one or more pins may be used.

As shown, the tank top 102 includes a head opening 110 and first arm opening 112 a and a second arm opening 112 b separated by a first shoulder strap 114 a and a second shoulder strap 114 b. The zipper 104 is open when the tank top 102 is in the first configuration and the tank top 102 is wearable as a shirt. The zipper 104 is closed when the tank top 102 is in the second configuration and the tank top 102 is usable as a bag. In the second configuration, the shoulder straps 114 a, 114 b of the tank top 102 function as the handles for the bag.

It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. 

I claim:
 1. A convertible garment comprising: an item of clothing including a front bottom hem and a back bottom hem; and a closure mechanism including a first side and a second side secured to the front bottom hem and the back bottom hem, respectively; wherein the item of clothing functions as a bag when the closure mechanism is closed.
 2. The convertible garment of claim 1, wherein the item of clothing comprises a shirt.
 3. The convertible garment of claim 1, wherein the shirt comprises a tank top.
 4. The convertible garment of claim 3, wherein the tank top includes first and second shoulder straps, and wherein the first and second shoulder straps function as the handles of the bag.
 5. The convertible garment of claim 1, wherein the shirt comprises a sports jersey.
 6. The convertible garment of claim 1, wherein the closure mechanism comprises a zipper.
 7. The convertible garment of claim 1, wherein the closure mechanism comprises snap fasteners.
 8. A convertible garment comprising: a shirt including a front bottom hem and a back bottom hem; and a closure mechanism including a first side and a second side secured to the front bottom hem and the back bottom hem, respectively; wherein, in a first configuration, the closure mechanism is open and the garment is wearable as a shirt; wherein, in a second configuration, the closure mechanism is closed and the garment is wearable as a bag.
 9. The convertible garment of claim 8, wherein the shirt comprises a tank top.
 10. The convertible garment of claim 8, wherein the closure mechanism comprises a zipper.
 11. The convertible garment of claim 8, wherein the closure mechanism comprises snap fasteners.
 12. A convertible garment comprising: a tank top including a front bottom hem and a back bottom hem; and a zipper including a first side and a second side secured to the front bottom hem and the back bottom hem, respectively; wherein, in a first configuration, the zipper is open and the garment is wearable as a tank top; wherein, in a second configuration, the zipper is closed and the garment is wearable as a bag. 